The Study Of Ming Dynasty's Military Lance Techniques And Development As A Competition Sport

1. PrefaceAmong the variety of modern competition sports, there are many derived from the ancient Greek and Roman military training. However, there are none derived from ancient Chinese military trainings. This reality triggered this study.The Da-Qiang/lance was widely and highly adapted by the ancient armies in the whole history of China. Due to its popularity, the Da-Qiang has developed into a very Chinese-flavored and highly skilled practice that is well supported with the theorems of martial arts.The study of the ancient Da-Qiang and developing it into a modern sport has not only a historical meaning and significance, but a modern one as well. The Da-Qiang sport is a continuity of cultural development. As well, due to the contribution by all ethnic groups in China, it will promote the mutual understanding between them . It is symbolic of the recent development of China. Lastly, it is an excellent sport with a huge potential in sport economics.2. References and documentsThe main source of references and documents of Da-Qiang are the military manuals, especially those from the Ming dynasty.Among many military manuals from the Ming, the Ji-Xiao-Xin-Shu by general Qi Ji-Guang has the most impact to the later Da-Qiang development. The Da-Qiang record of this book includes: the theorem, the 8-elementary techniques, and 6 Da-Qiang sparring sets and 24-Shi. The other important manual is Wu-Bian by general Tang Shun-Zhi. Wu-Bian emphasizes more on the techniques and the principles of application. These two manuals combined can represent the real contents of the Ming's Da-Qiang system. This thesis confirms the importance of Ming's Da-Qiang achievement on the whole history of the Da-Qiang development.3. The research target and methodsThe research was confined to"the military Da-Qiang of the Ming dynasty". Besides the literary research of the ancient military manuals, this research adapted many experiments for training and competitive events, and adapted mathematical methods for the physical properties of Da-Qiang and the Da-Qiang Circle theory.During the research, the following difficulties were encountered:A) There was no uniformity of the Da-Qiang terms and terminologies.B) The Ming dynasty occured a few hundred years ago. We can not link the modern Da-Qiang system to the system of the Ming periods and therefore, the research data must draw from the military manuals of that time period.C) The information recorded was incomplete. All these formed the challenge of this research.However, there are many new findings and achievements in this study which include the detailed exploring of the training method and techniques of the Ji-Xiao-Xin-Shu. The book was published in 1560 and marks the first time that such a detailed interpretation was attempted.To enhance the traditional Circle theory, this research provides the following supplementary interpretations: the figure-6 Circle shape, 3 different applications of the Da-Qiang Circle, the gap, the beginning and the ending of the Circle, the 3-elements of the Circle, the relationship between the blocking power and the deflection angle, and the 3-dimensional Circle path.4. The results of the studyFor the Da-Qiang theory, this study enhances the traditional theory and reforms it into 15 categories. The most important of these are:A) The Da-Qiang physical dimensions: The physical dimensions affect the Da-Qiang development. This study defines the ideal dimensions.B) The difference between Da-Qiang and Gun (staff) C) The Circle theory: The achievements for the Circle theory are mentioned above.D) Delaying the blocking and attacking the middle: This study explains this theory from the view points of sparring application.E) Piercing theory: This newly developed theory is used to unify the principle of Da-Qiang variations.For the 8-Elementary techniques of the Ji-Xiao-Xin-Shu, this study defines the purpose of this training, and then lists the doubts about the validity. This study provides reasonable conclusions/explanations for these doubts. For the 6-Sparring Sets, this study uses the principles which were listed in front of each set to explain the actual movements of the training. This explanation allows the entire training regimen to be re-produced today.For the 24-Shi, this study will first explain the meaning of Shi, then explain the hidden meaning of each Shi.5. Analysis and discussionThis study compares the differences between the military Da-Qiang system with the civilian one. It also lists the general problems of these civilian Da-Qiang systems from the viewpoint of the military applications. The reasons why military Da-Qiang systems are better for the modern Da-Qiang competition sport are also discussed.Comparing and combining the military and civilian Da-Qiang training methods, this study concludes a new training program with training theory.Also based on the experience of Da-Qiang competition events, this study concludes the importance of the competition rules to the development of the sport. Also, this thesis discusses the experience of some special Da-Qiang techniques, the standardization of the Da-Qiang, and protection gear.